Barcelona travelled to the Estadio Ramon on Sunday knowing that three points against Sevilla would see them return to the top of La Liga.
The home side took the lead early on through Alberto Moreno, but goals from Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi left Barcelona ahead at the interval.
Messi had his second just before the hour mark and despite pressure from Sevilla, the Catalan outfit made it four late on through Cesc Fabregas.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Ramon and it is a real cracker as Sevilla welcome Barcelona. The home side have lost their last two in the league, but a recent eight-match unbeaten run has left them in seventh spot in the table. Their home form has been fairly patchy, however, with five wins from their 10 games in this stadium.
Barcelona, meanwhile, recorded a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final during the week, but defeat to Valencia at the Camp Nou last weekend initially dropped them off the pace at the top of the table. As it stands, they sit in third spot in the table on 54 points, but victory this evening would take them into first on goal difference.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won four of the last five matches, with the further fixture ending in a draw. Barca have won on each of their last two visits to this stadium - a 3-2 victory in the corresponding match last season and a 2-0 win in the 2011/12 campaign.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Beto; Diogo, Pareja, Fazio, Moreno; Iborra, Rakitic, Carrico; Vitolo, Gameiro, Bacca
BARCELONA: Valdes; Montoya, Pique, Bartra, Adriano; Song, Xavi, Iniesta; Alexis, Messi, Pedro
So there we have it. Sevilla boss Unai Emery pairs Kevin Gameiro and Carlos Bacca in attack, but Jairo Samperio and Jose Antonio Reyes drop to the bench. Barcelona, meanwhile, recall Martin Montoya, Andres Iniesta and Alex Song. Lionel Messi is flanked by Pedro and Alexis Sanchez with Neymar still injured. Right, the home side get the first period underway at the Estadio Ramon.
It will come as no surprise that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this evening. Bright start from Sevilla, who have taken control of the possession in midfield.
First chance for Sanchez to open his legs as the Chilean drives down the right, but Pareja is across to make a fine challenge. The away side take control of the possession in the midfield area moments later as Iniesta works the ball to Adriano, but his cross comes to nothing. Bright opening stages to this La Liga fixture at the Estadio Ramon.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, but he has not decided to look to his pocket thus far. Barcelona continue to dominate the possession in their own half, but chances have been few and far between thus far.
Just a reminder that three points for Barcelona would see them return to the top of the table on goal difference. However, Sevilla have their sights on the top four. It must be said that the atmosphere is just sensational inside the stadium as Pique denies Gameiro with a fine sliding challenge inside the box.
Plenty of possession for Barcelona as they continue to keep the ball, but Sevilla are pressing high up the field and therefore closing the space in their own half. That said, the home side have not been able to threaten Valdes in the Barcelona goal in the opening 10 minutes.
The referee continues to take centre stage due to a number of late challenges in the middle of the park. Barcelona have the chance to deliver into the Sevilla box as Sanchez is felled by Moreno, but the free kick from Messi is straight into the arms of the waiting Beto.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments as they force Sevilla onto the edge of their own box, but once more the final pass is just short of the required standard. We have not seen too much from Messi, who has not scored in open play in the league since September - what a statistic that is!
GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Barcelona (Moreno)
Sevilla take the lead with 15 minutes on the clock as Moreno converts from inside the box following a wonderful move from the home side. It takes a deflection off Bartra, but the effort from Moreno was on target.
Sevilla go in search of their second as Vitolo breaks into the Barcelona half before striking one from inside the box, but it just moves wide of the post. The Spanish champions just need to be a little bit careful here as the home side continue to threaten. This is a real test for Barca.
POST! Oh my word. Song enters the referee's book following a really poor challenge on Rakitic in the Barcelona half. The resulting set piece is delivered by Rakitic onto the head of Bacca, but his effort clips the inside of the post. Sevilla could and should be two goals ahead.
We will find out a lot about Barcelona this evening. If they can recover to take all three points, it would be a big step in the title race. Sanchez carries the fight as he collects a through pass from Iniesta, but the Chilean is ruled offside. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining on this mild evening in Seville.
Adriano threatens for Barcelona as the left-back drives down the left before drilling a low effort into the box, but Beto is on hand to collect with ease. Sevilla break down the other end moments later with Bacca, but Pique steps across the Colombian to clear at the vital moment.
Not too much to report in terms of clear opportunities in the last couple of moments, but Barcelona continue to dominate the ball in the middle of the park. Montoya delivers towards Pedro moments later, but Fazio is once more on hand to clear the danger.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Xavi finds some space outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Beto. Sevilla break down the other end with Iborra, but Song clears up. The pressure continues, however, as Valdes slices a clearance into the crowd under pressure from Rakitic.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a miss! Sevilla pass up the chance to move 2-0 ahead as Bacca bullies Pique before finding Rakitic in the middle of the box, but somehow the Croatian fires wide of the post. Sevilla could be out of sight here.
Barcelona continue to deliver crosses into the Sevilla box, but it is food and drink for Fazio, who will not lose too many aerial battles this evening. Sevilla continue to threaten on the counter attack as Barcelona's sloppiness in midfield continues. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-1 Barcelona (Sanchez)
Barcelona level, but they are very fortunate. Pareja denies Messi with a brilliant challenge just outside the Sevilla box, but the referee blows for a free kick, which is a strange decision. The resulting set piece from Messi is headed in by Sanchez, but the Chilean was clearly offside.
It is harsh on Sevilla, who have been much the better team this evening. However, Barcelona are now starting to play. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Adriano delivers towards Iniesta, but his volley is wide of the post from close range.
The opening 39 minutes of this contest have just flown past. Sevilla will not know that Barcelona's goal was offside at this stage of proceedings, but they will be told at the interval. That news should fire them up for the second period. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Sevilla are enjoying more of the ball. It is just so delicately poised as the first period draws to a close. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals.
The challenges continue to fly in from both sides as the referee takes centre stage. A soft handball from Song allows Rakitic the chance to deliver a long ball into the Barcelona box, but Valdes just does enough to bundle it clear from close range. The wind is making it very difficult for both sets of defenders.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Brilliant, just brilliant. Wonderful counter attack from Barcelona as Adriano drives into the Sevilla half before finding Messi, who arrows one into the bottom corner for his 20th goal of the season.
HALF TIME: Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona
The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 2-1. Moreno sent Sevilla into the lead after 15 minutes, but goals from Sanchez and Messi have left Barcelona ahead at the interval. Let's hope that the second period can resume - the rain is absolutely hammering down in Seville.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have dominated the possession with 70%, but they have had just four attempts to Sevilla's nine. In truth, the home side will feel that they should be ahead at this stage of proceedings. Barcelona's first goal was certainly controversial with Sanchez in an offside position when he found the back of the net.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Cristoforo, Cheryshev, Jairo and Reyes. Meanwhile, Barcelona have the likes of Fabregas, Tello, Afellay and Alves in reserve. That said, neither manager will be too disappointed with what they have seen thus far.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Barcelona are heading for the top of the table, but Sevilla will have other ideas. The away side get the second 45 minutes underway on this wet evening in Seville.
It is still raining, but not quite as heavy as in the latter stages of the first period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect both managers will look to alter proceedings if the score remains 2-1 for the next 20 minutes or so. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals at the Estadio Ramon. End-to-end start to the second half.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second half, but Barcelona are in control of the possession. A loose pass from Song threatens to cause problems to Pique, but the centre-back manages to clear under pressure from Bacca, who would have had a clear run at Valdes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Vitolo to level as the Sevilla forward takes the ball away from Montoya before advancing into the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Golden opportunity for the home side. Could that cost them?
Half-chance for Messi as Montoya finds some space down the right before floating one towards the Argentine. However, for once, his first touch allows Fazio to clear the danger. End-to-end football at the moment with both committing numbers in the final third. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to level once more as Gameiro latches onto a loose save from Valdes inside the Barcelona box, but the Frenchman's effort is deflected wide by the away side's stopper. Sevilla are really turning the screw at the moment.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona have their third and Messi has his second as the Argentine places a low effort into the bottom corner from inside the box. It is another wonderful finish from the attacker.
Messi has now scored 18 times against Sevilla. The Argentine turns provider for Sanchez moments later, but the forward can only fire his effort wide of the far post. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals at the Estadio Ramon.
Even at 3-1, Sevilla will feel that they have enough quality to respond in the final 30 minutes or so. Moreno delivers another dangerous cross into the Barca box, but Pique is on hand to clear the danger. We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. The next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the contest.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, with Barcelona in control of the possession. It appears that the home side are preparing to make their first change of the match with little over 25 minutes remaining. As it stands, Barcelona are heading to the top of the table on goal difference.
Indeed the change is made as Iborra is replaced by Trochowski - that is a very attacking change by Emery. Moments later, Cherysev - who is on loan from Real Madrid - replaces Gameiro. Still no movement on the Barcelona bench, which is a surprise with the tiring nature of these conditions.
No too much to report in the last few moments as the away side continue to keep possession of the ball. If Sevilla are to take something from the match then you get the feeling that they need to score in the next five minutes or so. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at the Estadio Ramon.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to score their second as Valdes fails to collect a free kick from Rakitic, but the danger is eventually cleared following a period of pinball inside the box. Barcelona have not looked comfortable defending set pieces this evening.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, with Cheryshev entering the book for the home side, who have had three players carded. It appears that Barcelona are preparing to make their first change with Fabregas receiving instructions from Martino.
Half-chance for Cheryshev as the Sevilla forward collects a flick from Bacca, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Barcelona do indeed make their first change moments later as Pedro is replaced by Fabregas. Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining at the Estadio Ramon.
Sevilla continue to play their football in the middle of the park with Barcelona struggling to defend the high ball. However, Valdes manages to clear once more under pressure from Cheryshev. Barcelona break down the other end with Iniesta, but Rakitic is across to make a fine challenge.
Sevilla make their third and final change as Jairo replaces Vitolo for the final 10 minutes. Not too much in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but the threat from the home side remains. A goal at this stage would make the last five or 10 minutes very interesting.
Another Sevilla attack comes to nothing as Fazio fires wide following a period of pinball inside the Barcelona box. The away side have made just one change thus far and therefore it would not be a surprise to see more subs in the next five minutes or so. This would be a big three points for Barcelona under the circumstances.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score their fourth as Messi finds Adriano inside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Moments later, Barca make their second change as Xavi is replaced by Sergio Busquets. One World Cup winner for another.
Half-chance for Messi to score his third as the Argentine combines with Sanchez outside the box before attempting to move past Fazio, but the Argentine makes a fine challenge. Sanchez delivers towards Messi moments later, but it moves out for a throw.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-4 Barcelona (Fabregas)
Barcelona have their fourth as Sanchez finds Fabregas, who takes two touches inside the box before lifting his effort over Beto from close range.
In truth, it is harsh on Sevilla. Barcelona have not been three goals better, but that is football at this level. The away side make their third and final change in the latter stages as Roberto replaces Sanchez.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the third of those. Barcelona are heading for the top of the table. What a race for the La Liga title!
FULL TIME: Sevilla 1-4 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona return to the top of the table with a 4-1 win over Sevilla. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
